Chicago / IL. (wib) Sara Lee Corporation could become the top seller of fresh bread in the United States if it acquires Interstate Bakeries Corporation. The Kansas City based company is in talks with multiple groups that could provide new ways for the company to emerge from three-and-a-half years of Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Maybe it is in talks with Sara Lee, too.

Omaha / NE. (caf) ConAgra Foods Inc. announced that it has reached an agreement to sell its commodity trading and merchandising operations conducted by ConAgra Trade Group to the Ospraie Special Opportunities fund and other investors for approximately 2,1 billion USD, subject to certain adjustments.

Leeds / UK. (nf) Northern Foods PLC is managing to pass on all rises in commodity prices to its customers, the company said in a trading update, covering the three months to 29 March: «The group continued to fully recover commodity cost increases, as it has done throughout the year».

Jeddah / SA. (wib) Following the recent flour crisis, the Jeddah Municipality has reassured consumers that its market monitors are on the lookout for flour pinchers. In the last few weeks inspectors have visited 108 bakeries ...

Avarua / CK. (wib) The Cook Islands Bakery Association is calling on the government to subsidise locally baked bread. Recently, some supermakets have started to import bread from New Zealand, which is cheaper.

Kansas City / MO. (ibc) Interstate Bakeries Corporation reported a smaller monthly loss, driven by higher sales. The Kansas City-based company said it lost 16,5 million USD on sales of 209,7 million USD during the four-week period ending February 09.

Copenhagen / DK. (das) Danisco A/S announced its financial results for Q3 2007/2008 (01 November to 31 January). The third quarter witnessed a welcome acceleration of topline growth in the Ingredients business, the company said in a statement.